Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
2006 drama Princess Hours (adapted from a manhwa) was a huge hit and a part of the Hallyu Wave, represented breakouts to differing degrees for Yoon Eun Hye, Ju Ji Hoon, Kim Jeong Hoon, and Song Ji Hyo (especially Yoon Eun Hye), and led to a spin-off, a musical, a novel, and remakes in other countries, but Korea themselves have now decided to double dip and reportedly auditions are taking place for the remake.
Recently, media officials have reported that a remake of the popular K-Drama, Princess Hours has begun planning and auditioning for the drama. JTBC News reported, “Auditions for the drama are being discussed among some actors.”
Regarding the production, Group8 stated, “We are currently in the planning stage for the drama. There are many works in production, so it isn’t easy to produce it within this year. If production begins early next year, it is expected to be air in the middle or second half of 2024.”
This report is lent credibility by the fact that back in 2021 they had already been planning this remake, so this is different than most rumors and will most likely be happening at some point.
On March 5, it was reported that Jae Dam Media, which is in charge of managing the manhwa “Goong,” had signed a contract for a remake with Group 8, the same drama production company in charge of the first 2006 drama adaptation.
Hwang Nam Yong, the CEO of Jae Dam Media, stated, “It’s important to continue creating new projects, but we also think that it is important from an intellectual property standpoint to actively breathe new life into good projects that already exist. ‘Goong’ will become an important case in this new IP ‘boom.’”
In other words, they know they can milk this so they’re gonna do just that for all it’s worth, as people have been excitedly fancasting the shit out of this ever since it was announced back in 2021.
If you’re unfamiliar, the drama itself is somewhat of a modern Cinderella story of sorts.
Chae-gyeong is an ordinary art high school student. One day, she hears totally unexpected news that, based on her grandfathers will, she must marry the unemotional Crown Prince Lee Shin who attends the same high school. Free-spirited Chae-gyeong resists the proposal, but reluctantly marries him to help her debt-ridden family. As she struggles to adapt herself to the proper manners and royal duties of palace life and to her disagreeable husband, Lee Shins sentimental cousin and second-in-line to the throne Yul steps into her life. She feels like she can rely on Yul to help her, but cant help worrying about her haughty, cold-hearted husband. To help bridge this gap, the senior members of the royal family take some special measures to get them to spend the night together. Along the way, you will encounter numerous delightful episodes among the cute and lively Chae-gyeong, the cold heartthrob Lee Shin, the handsome, down-to-earth Yul, the perfect ballerina Hyo- rin who just cant get over Lee Shin, and all the other members of the royal family. Will the Crowned Princess, Chae-gyeong be up to the challenges of royal life?
I know this is a big deal for drama fans because it seemed at the time the original aired I was the only one that hadn’t seen it, and this seems like a perfect moment in time to take advantage of a new and bigger audience and combining them with the old audience seeking out some nostalgia.
The casting is probably going to be a bit of a mess, as it tends to be whenever there’s already an existing IP and years of fans wishing certain actors/actresses take roles. But then again, that’s nothing new as people initially protested against Yoon Eun Hye before falling for her in the drama, so I kinda hope this is used as a vehicle to find new stars rather than going with the established ones.
